Five things about Canada's retooled fight against Islamic State militants

The Canadian PressPublished February 8, 2016 - 5:08pm Last Updated February 8, 2016 - 9:00pm

OTTAWA — Five things to know about Canada's newly retooled role in the mission against the militants of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant:

Military operation

Canada plans to extend the mission until March 31, 2017, in a non-combat role to advise, assist and equip local forces at a cost of $264 million. (Another $42 million is set aside to move personnel and equipment upon completion.) Canada will:

— Retain one Polaris refuelling plane and up to two Aurora surveillance aircraft, but withdraw six fighter jets engaged in air strikes no later than Feb. 22.

— Increase the number of military personnel to about 830, up from about 650.

— Station personnel at various coalition headquarters to support members and Iraqi security forces, specifically through expertise in operational planning, targeting and intelligence.

— Expand training to help Iraqi security forces plan and carry out military operations against ISIL, including provision of small arms and ammunition.

— Use military medical personnel to train the Iraqis to treat battlefield wounded as well as to provide medical support to Canadian forces and allies.

— Help security forces in Jordan and Lebanon prevent the spread of violent extremism and offer strategic advisers to the Iraqi ministries of defence and the interior.

— Devote $145 million over three years towards counter-terrorism, stabilization, and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) security programming.

Humanitarian aid

Canada will work with local and international partners over three years to deliver:

— $840 million in humanitarian assistance for basic needs of those hardest hit by the conflicts, including food, shelter, health care, water, sanitation and hygiene, as well as protection and emergency education.

— $270 million to build local capacity to provide basic social services, (such as education, health, water, sanitation), maintain and restore public infrastructure, help people find work and foster accountable government.

— Of that $1.1 billion in humanitarian assistance, the government says all but $130 million is new money.

Diplomacy

Canada will increase its diplomatic role in helping find a political solution to the crisis in Syria as well as assisting the Iraqi government's efforts to foster reconciliation. This entails "an increased presence on the ground" in Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon.

Parliament

Trudeau promised a parliamentary debate and vote on the new approach, much as his Conservative predecessor Stephen Harper did in introducing the original mission and subsequent extension and expansion. Trudeau also vowed to return to Parliament to consult on whether the military mission should be extended.

"As we all know, military matters are the prerogative of the executive, but I believe in Parliament," Trudeau said, "and I believe in the value of robust and informed debate to express Canadians' views on issues of such import as this, and I look forward to bringing this forward to debate."

On ISIL

The prime minister said Canada is stronger and more durable than the "murderous gang of thugs" committing atrocities in the region — a group that opposes open societies like Canada. "They want us to elevate them, to give into fear."